It can be recalled that on October 17, 2018, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications on behalf of its members (AirtelTigo, MTN and Vodafone) informed the general public and its esteemed customers that, there will be 5 percent tarrif increase of Telecommunication services which was to take effect on 1st November 2018.

Following the announcement, the implementation of the increased tarrif took effect on Thursday, November 1, 2018, and on the streets of the Bolgatanga Municipality, some residents referred to the 5 percent Telecommunication Services tarrif increase as deceit, and it will compel them to go back to the good old days.

“Communication is everything in life, so if now we talk and you tax us, directly you are telling us not to communicate and that is what the government is doing. In fact, what prove can the government give that, indeed after removing this 5 percent from every single scratch card we buy, it will actually go into its intended purposes?

We see it to be a pure thievry, and tactics that the government and those working at the Telecommunication services are using to milk the poor Ghanaians. Well, if the government and it law makers think that, they are wise; we will also advise ourselves to go back in the good old days like sending letters and the like”. A resident said.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has over the week been explaining that, the objective of the new tax law was made to give effect to the conversion of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) and Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy (GETFL) into new levies, that are not subject to the input and output mechanism, and delinking them from Value Add Tax (VAT) by removing the option of input tax deductibility, thereby giving both levies a unique and different legal identity and distinguished from VAT.

He also compelled members, who are responsible for corporate entities to comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law.

“I would like to believe that the telecommunications industry remains committed to full transparency and accountability to both the Government of Ghana and their customers”. He said.